Suggested survey introduction:
Welcome to the HE STEM Staff Culture Survey
The aim of this survey is to help university departments in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) understand how male and female staff experience their working environment
and what, if any, improvements may be needed to ensure equality of opportunity. It is designed for
academic and non-academic staff, at all stages of their careers. The survey explores your experience,
knowledge and views on how [name of Department or School] promotes and manages gender
equality. It focuses on four areas:
1. Participation and promotion practices
2. Workplace culture
3. Leadership and management commitment
4. Reputation and social responsibility
Your responses may contribute to improvements within [name of Department or School], benefiting
everyone who works in the Department/School, and may be of relevance to the Research Excellence
Framework submission, or in applications for accreditation within the Athena SWAN or Institute of
Physics Juno award schemes.
Survey responses will be anonymised and the key findings from this survey will be made available to
staff.
The survey consists of 30 multiple choice questions and should take less than 15 minutes of your
time.
Survey information
Please complete all the questions. Simply indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with
each statement in the questionnaire.
[Include any instructions relevant to the online survey tool that you are using. For example: “Please
click the ‘Done’ button on the 'Thank you' page or your survey responses will not be registered.”]
[Include information on data protection and confidentiality relevant to your institution/survey
process. For example:
“Data protection and confidentiality: All responses to this questionnaire will remain anonymous. In
any feedback to management and/or staff and students, we will not attribute any responses to any
individual.
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Please do not name individuals in any of the comments fields in the survey. Any such replies will be
anonymised.
All data collected by this survey will be held securely and destroyed by [Date]. Access to the detailed
survey data will be limited to [Name(s)] who will be responsible for the survey analysis.
If you have any questions or concerns about completing the survey you may contact:
[Name and contact details]”]
Notes on setting up the online version of the survey:
All questions have been set up as:
1. Question type ‘Multiple Choice (Only One Answer)’ and
2. Display format ‘Display Choices as Buttons (1 Column)’,
unless indicated otherwise on the questions below.
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PARTICIPATION AND PROMOTION PRACTICES: This section assesses whether your Department has
policies and practices that encourage the participation and promotion of women and men at all
levels.
Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each statement.
1. In my Department, staff are treated on their merits irrespective of their gender (e.g. both women
and men are actively encouraged to apply for promotion and take up training opportunities).

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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
2. In my Department, work is allocated on a clear and fair basis irrespective of gender.

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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
3. My Department values the full range of an individual’s skills and experience (e.g. research,
pastoral work, outreach work, teaching, administration and technical support):

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When carrying out performance appraisals - (Strongly disagree/Disagree/Slightly
disagree/Neither agree nor disagree/Slightly agree/Agree/Strongly agree)
When considering promotions - (Strongly disagree/Disagree/Slightly disagree/Neither agree
nor disagree/Slightly agree/Agree/Strongly agree)
[Note: Online question type: ‘Matrix of Choices (Only One Answer per Row)]
4. I understand the promotion process and criteria in my Department.
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
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5. I am actively encouraged to take up career development opportunities.
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
6. I am encouraged and given opportunities to represent my Department externally and/or internally
(e.g. on committees or boards, as chair or speaker at conferences).
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
7. My Department provides me with:
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Useful mentoring opportunities (as mentor or mentee) - (Strongly disagree/Disagree/Slightly
disagree/Neither agree nor disagree/Slightly agree/Agree/Strongly agree)
Useful networking opportunities - (Strongly disagree/Disagree/Slightly disagree/Neither
agree nor disagree/Slightly agree/Agree/Strongly agree)
A helpful annual appraisal - (Strongly disagree/Disagree/Slightly disagree/Neither agree nor
disagree/Slightly agree/Agree/Strongly agree)
[Note: Online question type: ‘Matrix of Choices (Only One Answer per Row)]
8. Staff who work part-time or flexibly in my Department are offered the same career development
opportunities as those who work full-time.
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
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9. Meetings in my Department are completed in core hours to enable those with caring
responsibilities to attend. (Hours, for example 10am to 4pm, during which flexitime workers must be
engaged in work).
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
10. I believe that in my Department, men and women are paid an equal amount for doing the same
work or work of equal value.
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
Please read before answering question 11:
There is often some confusion between the terms positive action and positive discrimination.
Positive action is legal and can be used to provide training and encouragement for disadvantaged or
under-represented groups, to help increase the diversity of people in the organisation. For example,
setting up a mentoring scheme or network for a specific group that is under-represented counts as
positive action. Organisations can also, when faced with candidates of equal merit, choose a
candidate from an under-represented group.
Positive discrimination, however, is illegal. Positive discrimination refers to activities such as
recruiting or promoting a particular group simply because they are under-represented, regardless of
whether they have the relevant qualifications, skills or experience.
11. My Department takes positive action to encourage women and men to apply for posts in areas
where they are under-represented (e.g. encouraging appropriately qualified colleagues of both sexes
to apply for posts; including images of female and male staff in recruitment materials; including a
statement in job adverts that applications are welcomed from under-represented groups).
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
Please include any additional comments on this section (optional):
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WORKPLACE CULTURE: This section looks at whether your Department has a workplace culture that
is welcoming to all.
Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each statement.
12. My Department makes it clear that unsupportive language and behaviour are not acceptable
(e.g. condescending or intimidating language, ridicule, overly familiar behaviour, jokes/banter that
stereotype women or men or focus on their appearance).
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
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
13. Inappropriate images that stereotype women or men are not acceptable in my Department (e.g.
in calendars, newspapers and magazines; on computers and mobiles).



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

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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
14. Work related social activities in my Department such as staff parties, team building or
networking events, are likely to be welcoming to both women and men (e.g. consider whether
venues, activities and times are appropriate to both women and men).
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
15. I have undertaken training in:


Equality and diversity (Yes-Online/Yes–Course or workshop attendance/No/Don’t know)
Understanding unconscious bias (Yes-Online/Yes–Course or workshop attendance/No/Don’t
know)
[Note: Online question type: ‘Matrix of Choices (Only One Answer per Row)]
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Please include any additional comments on this section (optional):
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT: This section assesses whether your Department
has strong leadership and management commitment to delivering positive and sustainable changes
in gender equality culture and practice.
Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each statement.
16. My Department has made it clear to me what its policies are in relation to gender equality (e.g.
on discrimination, parental leave, carer’s leave, flexible working).
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
17. I understand my Department’s reasons for taking action on gender equality.
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
18. I understand why positive action may be required to promote gender equality.
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
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19. My line manager/supervisor is supportive of requests for flexible working (e.g. requests for parttime working, job share, compressed hours).

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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
20. During my time in this Department, I have experienced a situation(s) where I have felt
uncomfortable because of my gender.
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
21. I am confident that my line manager/supervisor would deal effectively with any complaints
about harassment, bullying or offensive behaviour.




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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
Please include any additional comments on this section (optional):
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REPUTATION AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: This section looks at whether your Department has a
record of good reputation and responsibility in respect of gender equality.
Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each statement.
22. My Department uses women as well as men as visible role models (e.g. in staff inductions, as
speakers at conferences, at recruitment events).
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
23. I am kept informed by my Department and/or Institution about gender equality matters that
affect me (e.g. changes to maternity/paternity leave entitlements, flexible working opportunities,
gender equality legislation).
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Strongly disagree
Disagree
Slightly disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Slightly agree
Agree
Strongly agree
24. I feel that my Department is a great place to work. (Please answer both parts of this question)
For women
For men
(Strongly disagree/Disagree/Slightly disagree/Neither agree nor disagree/Slightly
agree/Agree/Strongly agree)
(Strongly disagree/Disagree/Slightly disagree/Neither agree nor disagree/Slightly
agree/Agree/Strongly agree)
[Note: Online question type: ‘Matrix of Choices (Only One Answer per Row)]
Please include any additional comments on this section (optional):
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MONITORING INFORMATION
25. Do you identify as?
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Female
Male
Other
Prefer not to say
26. Please describe your ethnic origin.
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White
Mixed heritage – White and Black Caribbean
Mixed heritage – White and Black African
Mixed heritage – White and Asian
Mixed heritage - Other
Asian – Chinese
Asian – Indian
Asian - Pakistani
Asian - Bangladeshi
Asian - Other
Black – Caribbean
Black - African
Black - Other
Any other ethnic background (please specify)
Prefer not to say
[Note: Online question type: ‘Multiple Choice (Only One Answer); display format: ‘Display Choices as
a Drop-down Menu’]
27. What is your current role? [Adapt list to your survey population]
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Professor
Principal lecturer/Reader
Senior lecturer/senior researcher
Lecturer/researcher
Postdoctoral researcher/junior researcher
Research assistant
Holder of research fellowship
Technical/scientific support
Administrative/clerical support
Other (please specify) ………………………………
Prefer not to say
28. What hours are you contracted to work?
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Full time
Full-time – flexible working option
Part-time
Prefer not to say
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29. What sort of contract do you have?
 Open ended
 Fixed term
 Prefer not to say
30. Do you have caring responsibilities for dependent children and/or adults?

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Yes – children aged under 18
Yes - adult dependants (e.g. partner, parents)
Yes - both
No
Prefer not to say
Please add any further comments about this survey and/or the topics covered here (optional):
You have reached the end of this survey
Many thanks for your time
This survey has been developed by the UKRC-WISE, as part of the HEFCE funded National HE STEM
Programme with the aim of sharing good practice in gender equality in higher education.
The UKRC-WISE works with employers, professional bodies, education institutions, women's
organisations and networks, sector skills councils and other STEM stakeholders to promote women
and girls in science, engineering and technology from classroom to boardroom.
The UKRC Community Interest Company
Company number: 7533934
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Great Horton Road
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Telephone: 01274 436485
e-mail: [email protected]
www.theukrc.org
© The UKRC, 2012
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
To view a copy of this licence, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
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